Lessons from the Divided Kings (part 1)

Rom. 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

1 Cor. 10:6, 11 “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. … Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”

These two passages succinctly summarize both the good and bad examples we can learn from the Old Testament.

A number of these examples can be found in the period sometimes called the "Divided Kingdom". Lasting roughly 400 years from ~1000 B.C. to ~600 B.C., this period begins with King Solomon son's reign that split the united nation of Israel into northern and southern kingdoms. It includes the Northern Kingdom being taken into Assyrian captivity around 720 B.C. and ends with the Southern Kingdom also being taken into Babylonian captivity, both due to their chronic idolatry and sins against God. These events are recorded in 1 Kings 12 thru 2 Kings 25 and 2 Chron. 10 – 36, covering the reign of 19 Northern Kings and 19 Southern Kings (and 1 Queen).

This was a time of considerable instability/upheaval. Politically, there were assassinations, civil war, external local threats (Philistines, Ammonites, Edomites, etc.), and external "global" threats (Egypt, Syria, Assyria, Babylon). Religiously, there was ongoing conflict over worship of Jehovah versus the worship of Baal, Ashtoreth, and many other idols. This conflict was compounded by the oscillating religious leadership of the kings. While the Northern Kingdom was universally led by idolatrous Jewish kings, the Southern Kingdom was locked in a protracted "tug-of-war" between Jewish kings doing what was right in the sight of the Lord and those doing what was evil. Frequently, a new king would undo/reverse whatever his father/grandfather had done.

What can we as Christians learn from this turbulent time?

Bad Advice – Rehoboam. In 1 Kings 12, we read about the early reign of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. As prophesied in 1 Sam. 8:4-18, the people had been laboring under heavy taxation by Solomon and sought "tax relief" from the new king. After consulting with his father’s counselors and his friends, Rehoboam chose his friend’s unwise counsel to speak roughly to the people. As a result, the kingdom that had been previously united under Saul, David, and Solomon was divided (permanently) and thrown into civil war.

Certainly there is wisdom in seeing counsel from others, especially with challenging or consequential decisions. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14; Prov. 15:22; Prov. 24:6). But you need to be careful whom you listen to. As Job observes generally, “I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.'” (Job 32:7) Ultimately, the best wisdom comes from God thru His word - “For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;” (Prov. 2:6).

Religious "Improvements" – Jeroboam. In 1 Kings 12-13, Jeroboam as the leader of the newly formed Northern Kingdom faces a crisis. Concerned that his new followers may be led back to Rehoboam by worshipping in Jerusalem (according to the Law of Moses) in the Southern Kingdom, he institutes a number of religious "improvements" in the Northern Kingdom. These include setting up golden calves at Dan/Bethel, making shrines on high places, having priests from every tribe (not just Levites), and starting special feast days. As he tried to explain, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (1 Kings 12:28) As a result, he succeeded in luring his people away from Jerusalem and Rehoboam. However, he also plunged the Northern Kingdom into deep religious apostasy from which they never recovered.

Today, we face similar temptations from unscriptural religious improvements and unauthorized innovations, some of which like Jeroboam's also appeal to our convenience, what we like to do, and/or what may be viewed as “good enough” religion. This includes "contemporary" worship-as-rock-concert, short fluffy sermonettes that only make us feel good about ourselves, offering of church-funded entertainment & recreation, and such. We also need to be careful when we attempt to justify what we've always traditionally done when we should seek the scriptural answer first. As Paul admits, he was “… zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal. 1:14). Such unauthorized innovations and traditions can have lasting multi-generational influence. As the OT describes many of the successive kings in the Northern Kingdom, “And he did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.”

A Worthy Woman (not) – Jezebel. From 1 Kings 16-21, we read about Ahab who was king over the Northern Kingdom and his wife Jezebel. She was the daughter of a Sidonian king and a devout Baal worshipper (in violation of Ex. 34:16 and Deut. 7:3-4). As queen, she leveraged her position to kill the prophets of God (1 Kings 18), threaten Elijah (1 Kings 19), and murder Naboth (1 Kings 21). Overall, she was a major influence for evil over both her husband and the Northern Kingdom. As 1 Kings 21:25 says, “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.”

For single people, the case of Jezebel sends a very strong message to be careful whom you make friends with, date, and marry! Too many people are influenced by physical attractiveness or other superficial factors to marry someone who turns out to be a major stumbling block to their spiritual journey (and that of their children). This is in stark contrast to the "worthy woman" of Prov. 31:10-31. We also see the dangerous example of a manipulative person working behind the scenes to influence the Lord's people for evil. This type of spiritual seduction may even be seen in the use of "Jezebel" (perhaps not her real name) in Rev. 2:20, “…you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.”

Evil Friendships – Jehoshaphat. While Ahab reigned over the Northern Kingdom, Jehoshaphat reigned over the Southern Kingdom per 2 Chronicles 17 – 19. In 2 Chron. 17:3-6, he is described as a righteous king. However, he “…allied himself by marriage with Ahab” (2 Chron. 18:1) and joined King Ahab in battle against Syria, despite prophetic warnings by Micaiah. And at Ahab’s suggestion, Jehoshaphat wore kingly robes during the battle while Ahab participated in disguise. As a result, Jehoshaphat was almost killed per 2 Chron. 18:31.

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”” (1 Cor. 15:33) True during Jehoshaphat's day, true in New Testament times, and equally true today. As Job 34:8 warns, “who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?”, with "travels" and "walks" showing ongoing interaction, influence, participation, and lifestyle. Note these warnings apply not only to specific friendship with individuals, but also to friendship with the world in general: “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Prayer in Adversity – Jehoshaphat. Later during Jehosphaphat's reign in 2 Chron. 20, "a great multitude” of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites came to wage war against the Southern Kingdom. Faced with this overwhelming threat, Jehoshaphat “…was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord.” (2 Chron. 20:3) As a result, the Lord delivered him from the invading threat.

Similar encouragements are echoed in the New Testament for the benefit of faithful Christians today. - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7) - “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears attend to their prayer But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” (1 Pet. 3:12)

Conclusion. So far we have seen five episodes from the turbulent time of the Divided Kingdom with both good and bad examples that we can learn from for faithful living today. Such lessons include: - Seek counsel from wise sources (not necessarily your “buddies”). - Religious “improvements” often aren’t. - Be careful who your friends are, including whom you date and “fall in love with”. - Reach out to God in bad times (and in good)

In part 2, we will continue our brief survey with additional examples from the kings of the history of the Divided Kingdom.

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